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Boating under the Influence Defense

Timothy Nies

Christian Van Riper

"Wouldn't it be Comforting to Know that your BUI Defense Attorney is a Former BUI & DUI Prosecutor?"
Van Riper & Nies combines courtroom experience, aggressive criminal defense, and open communications as we fight for justice our clients accused of Boating under the Influence (BUI).Our attorneys Christian Van Riper and Timothy Nies are skilled trial attorneys. Both Christian and Tim are boaters. Christian is a former DUI and BUI prosecutor for the State of Florida. Timothy, a former U.S. Army Ranger, is a former insurance company trial attorney, and member of the Maritime Law Association of the U.S. Our maritime attorneys are uniquely qualified BUI defense attorneys and represent clients charged with BUI in Monroe, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and all other counties in Florida.

In the State of Florida, the laws governing the operation of a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol are similar to the DUI laws for operation of motor vehicles. To be found guilty of a BUI, the prosecutor, must prove that the boat operator:

Has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or greater (.02% for operators under 21); or

Impaired mental/physical abilities due to alcohol or any controlled substance.

Being arrested and charged with Boating Under the Influence is a serious charge. If convicted, it will count as a prior DUI on any subsequent DUI offense you may be charged with. Boat operators under 21 will be arrested and charged with a BUI if their if their BAC level is higher than .02%. As under DUI law, enhanced penalties are in place for BAC levels .15 or higher and if a minor, 17 or younger, was on the vessel at the time of the arrest.

When faced with a BUI charge, hiring a skilled and experienced maritime criminal defense attorney is essential if you wish to protect your rights under Florida Law and avoid such legal penalties as jail time, steep fines, suspension of your driver's license, community service, probation, restitution (if someone was injured in an accident), mandatory alcohol-awareness courses, impoundment of your boat or personal watercraft, and more. In addition, an experienced and tenacious BUI defense lawyer can stand up to the prosecution and aggressively fight your charges throughout the BUI process.
Our law firm has offices in Stuart, West Palm Beach and Deerfield Beach, Florida serving South Florida and the Treasure Coast.

For a free consultation, call our maritime attorneys day or night or complete the contact form below.

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Van Riper and Nies maritime criminal defense attorneys represent boaters charged with BUI in Florida. Our attorney, Chris Van Riper, is a lifelong boater and former DUI prosecutor for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Having an experienced boater as your Boating under the Influence Defense attorney means that you will have an attorney on your side who is experienced with not only maritime criminal law, but also the navigational rules of the road. Florida BUI (boating under the influence) lawyers.